---
title: 'Counsel - Employee Benefits Division at Protective'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/counsel-employee-benefits-division-protective-remote-bwkd2xt78556'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-14'
---

# Counsel - Employee Benefits Division at Protective

- **Company:** Protective
- **Location:** Remote
- **Compensation:** $145k–$180k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-10-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/protective/34f7231b-871a-4b3e-a8d6-289f99a0eaa0

## Job description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it. We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

Protective is seeking a highly motivated compliance professional with approximately five years of relevant experience (or equivalent) to support its growing Employee Benefits Division. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required due to the significant legal and regulatory analysis involved in the role. This position serves as a key compliance/regulatory advisor supporting statutory state Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) private plan insurance products, and other group employee benefits products (life insurance, ad&d, disability, dental and supplemental health). The role partners closely with Product, Operations, Claims, Underwriting, Actuarial, Distribution, and other Compliance/Legal stakeholders to identify regulatory requirements, assess compliance/regulatory risks, support product development and operational initiatives, and help ensure ongoing compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The successful candidate will be a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical and communication skills who can quickly develop subject matter expertise and provide practical, business-oriented guidance in a highly regulated and evolving environment.

## Key Duties & Responsibilities

- Monitor, analyze, and interpret state and federal laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance impacting statutory PFML, disability, and other employee benefits products.
- Provide regulatory and compliance guidance to business stakeholders regarding product, operational, claims, distribution, and implementation matters.
- Support the development, launch, and ongoing administration of employee benefits products, including PFML, disability, and other group insurance offerings.
- Review policy forms, certificates, riders, marketing materials, training materials, and business processes for compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct regulatory research and support insurance department filings and reporting, regulatory inquiries, examinations, complaints, claim appeals, arbitrations, and other regulatory matters.
- Partner with Product, Operations, Claims, Compliance, Actuarial, Underwriting, Distribution, Marketing, and Compliance/Legal colleagues to identify compliance risks and develop practical business solutions.
- Serve as the Compliance representative on cross-functional projects, strategic initiatives, and product development efforts.
- Develop and deliver training, guidance, and educational materials regarding regulatory requirements and emerging compliance issues affecting employee benefits products.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments through trade associations and prepare impact assessments and recommendations for business stakeholders.
- Support the development and maintenance of compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance processes designed to promote regulatory compliance and effective risk management.

## Requirements

- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Approximately five years of relevant professional experience (or equivalent).
- Strong legal research, analytical, issue-spotting, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, learn new subject matter quickly, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strongly Preferred
- Meaningful experience supporting employee benefits products, including statutory PFML, disability insurance, group insurance, leave management, accident and health insurance, or related employee benefits products.
- Insurance industry experience, with experience at an insurance carrier or law firm practice focused on insurance regulatory matters. Insurance litigation experience alone may not qualify.
- Experience interpreting and applying state and federal insurance laws and regulations and providing compliance, regulatory, or legal guidance in support of insurance products and business operations.

## #LI-SB1

Employee Benefits: We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health.  Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.

Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability: If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.

Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation.  General employment questions should not be sent through this process.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.

## About Protective

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Protective is a financial services company providing life insurance, retirement solutions, employee benefits, and asset protection products to individuals and businesses.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., TSE:8750)
- **Headquarters**: Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- **Founded**: 1907
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Insurance (Life, Annuity, Asset Protection, Employee Benefits)
- **Target customers**: B2C (individuals) and B2B (employers, partners)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "To help everyone deserve confidence through life's moments — big, small and everything in between." [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us)

## Products & Services
- **[Life Insurance]**: Offers term life, whole life, and universal life policies for individuals and families.
- **[Retirement Solutions]**: Fixed and variable annuities, retirement income planning products.
- **[Asset Protection]**: Commercial mortgage investments, structured settlements, and stable value products via Protective Asset Division.
- **[Employee Benefits]**: Group life, disability, and other workplace benefit programs for employers.
- **[Acquisitions & Stable Value]**: Manages and acquires in-force blocks of life insurance and annuity policies.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, TSE:8750)
- **Key Metric**: $6.4B annual revenue (PLICO financials) [wellfound.com](https://linkedin.com/company/protective-life)
- **Total Assets**: $142 billion as of December 31, 2025 [protective.com](https://investor.protective.com/Company-Overview/default.aspx)
- **Net Income**: $389 million USD (2024) [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/protective-life)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company Dai-ichi Life Holdings (Japan), one of the largest life insurers globally.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Over 14.4 million customers served.
  - 61 acquisitions in company history. [protective.com](https://investor.protective.com/Company-Overview/default.aspx)
  - ~32 million policies and contracts in force.
  - $1 trillion life insurance in force.
  - 3,800+ employees as of Jan 1, 2026 (up from 3,800 reported in 2023).
  - Fastest growing core site in the greater Cincinnati area. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)

## Competitive Advantages
- **115+ Years of Stability**: Founded in 1907, the company has a long track record of financial strength and reliability.
- **Parent Backing**: As part of Dai-ichi Life Group, a global top-tier insurer, Protective has access to significant capital and a long-term strategic focus.
- **Diversified Portfolio**: Multiple business segments (Protection, Retirement, Asset Protection, Acquisitions) create revenue stability and cross-selling opportunities.
- **Strong Financial Ratings**: A focus on conservative risk management and a large asset base ($142B) provides market confidence.
- **Scale and Distribution**: A massive in-force block ($1T life insurance) and a large, established customer base.

## Strategic Focus
- **Organic & Inorganic Growth**: Continues to acquire blocks of policies and companies (61 in history) while expanding its core product lines.
- **Virtual Workforce Expansion**: More than half of employees are now remote, signaling a commitment to a flexible, distributed workforce. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)
- **Digital Transformation**: Investments in technology and data to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
- **Talent Development**: Strong focus on internal mobility, continuous learning, and career enrichment programs.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Emphasizes a "protector" mindset, focusing on service to customers, colleagues, and communities. Recognized for workplace engagement and inclusivity. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)
- **Hybrid/Remote Work**: Over 50% of the workforce is remote/virtual. Three core sites in Birmingham (HQ), Greater Cincinnati, and St. Louis offer hybrid options. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive package including medical/dental/vision with HSA/FSA, a pension plan funded by the company, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability, adoption assistance, and life insurance. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)
- **Career Development**: Company-sponsored education courses, tuition reimbursement, scholarship opportunities for dependents, and a semi-annual "Pulse Survey" to shape culture and learning opportunities. [protective.com](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)
- **Notable Perk**: Pension plan remains a differentiator in the current job market.

## Sources
1. [protective.com - Company Overview](https://www.protective.com/about-us)
2. [protective.com - Careers Page](https://www.protective.com/about-us/careers)
3. [investor.protective.com - Company Overview](https://investor.protective.com/Company-Overview/default.aspx)
4. [linkedin.com - Protective Life](https://linkedin.com/company/protective-life)
5. [jobs.lever.co/protective - Job Listings](https://jobs.lever.co/protective)

## Other roles at Protective

- [Sales Support Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-support-coordinator-protective-covington-gxdqw1jkbws6) — Covington, KY
- [Automotive Claims Adjuster- Bilingual](https://feeny.ai/job/automotive-claims-adjuster-bilingual-protective-remote-k3a8yd65fnfh)
- [Financial Reporting Accountant II](https://feeny.ai/job/financial-reporting-accountant-ii-protective-birmingham-p6vyy3z2rzbr) — Birmingham, AL
- [Regional VP - Annuity Division - North Carolina/East TN](https://feeny.ai/job/regional-vp-annuity-division-north-carolina-east-tn-protective-remote-cxfbed694fje)
- [Installation Technician- Stargard](https://feeny.ai/job/installation-technician-stargard-protective-santa-barbara-4rsmmnggb76p) — Santa Barbara, CA
- [Senior Director, Underwriting & Portfolio Management](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-underwriting-portfolio-management-protective-remote-yf798wcgyjha)
- [Internal Wholesaler II](https://feeny.ai/job/internal-wholesaler-ii-protective-remote-nx57vapmsctx)
- [Associate Actuary / Actuary - Property & Casualty](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-actuary-actuary-property-casualty-protective-remote-qhbmbbqd6n38)
- [Legal Analyst I](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-analyst-i-protective-birmingham-zs6d4hzx7v8f) — Birmingham, AL
- [2027 Business Systems Summer Internship Program](https://feeny.ai/job/2027-business-systems-summer-internship-program-protective-birmingham-8vhj2jfymt37) — Birmingham, AL